EATON — Blue Star Mothers of America’s Chapter OH 11 Echo 1 will hold its annual Holiday Hugs packing party on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at L&M Products, 1407 N. Barron St. in Eaton.
Santa will be at the party for pictures from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It is that time of the year — we are again shooting for 200 care packages for troops overseas,BSM OH 11 President Linda Samuels said in a letter last week. “We have also taken on a few K9 dogs we are getting treats and toys for them, after all they need Christmas too, they work just as hard!”
Samuels continued: This year we are inviting all military moms to come out and help. We serve Preble, Butler and Darke counties in Ohio and Wayne and Randolph in Indiana. If you have an address for your child, please bring it along and you can pack a box for them free of charge, including postage.”
The group is also offering military moms one free year of membership to the organization around, a $30 value.
“We do so many things through out the year to help our troops but also to help each other get through these tough times,” Samuels said. “So many of us still have children being deployed, and most people do not even realize that troops are still overseas. As a community we need to step up and support our military. The government pays them very little wages, provides next to nothing except maybe two meals a day if they are lucky. Many sleep on the floor or a cot from WWII — this is not how our military should be treated, so that is where we step in, helping with as much as we can. etters from home, cards from local school children, homemade cookies, candy and snacks — just things they can’t get there — we just like sending alittle bit of home to them to let them know we still are thinking about them and appreciate all they do to keep us safe.”
Donations and volunteers are sought. Samuels is hoping the group can get enough to fill 200 boxes — but donations have been low this year and she fears they might not get enough. Any donation is appreciated. For additional information, call 937-776-4346 or 937-456-1588.
Donations can be made daily at L & M Products. All donations should be labeled for “Blue Star Mothers.”
Monetary donations can be sent to Blue Star Mothers of America Chapter 11, Echo 1, P.O Box 272, Eaton, OH 45320. The group is a 501(c) (3) IRS designated non profit organization.
Items needed include:
Just add water:
Individual serving sizes hot chocolate, spiced cider, tea bags, instant coffee packets, powdered drink mixes.
Instant hot cereals: oatmeal, cream of wheat, cup of noodles/ramen noodles
Snacks:
Individual wrapped packages crackers, mints, gum, candy, trail mix, corn nuts, sunflower seeds, microwave popcorn, granola bars, toaster pastries, fruit snacks, fruit rollups, dried fruit
Proteins:
individual single serve sizes tuna or chicken-foil pouches/pull-top cans, beef jerky or sticks nuts (all kinds), protein bars, energy bars, etc. peanut butter in to go packs
Personal items, travel size only:
Powder — medicated foot and/or baby powder, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, lip balm/SPF sunscreen, dental floss, toothbrushes, toothpaste, eye drops, shower gel, shampoo, deoodarant, lotion, disposable razors, hand and foot warmers, batteries(preferably aa)
Christmas stocking stuffers:
Silly putty, nerf/tennis balls, yo-yos, playing cards, crossword puzzles, word search and sudoku, paperback books, cds and dvds.
